Relaxation Of Premium Rice Prices During Ramadan Only Valid For 2 Weeks

In order to maintain supply stability and prices at the consumer level during Ramadan 1445 Hijri, the government has temporarily imposed the highest retail price relaxation (HET) of premium rice.

"Of course, after we pay close attention to the condition of availability, supply, and price of premium rice in traditional and modern retail markets, there is a need for an effort to continue to maintain supply stability and premium rice prices at the consumer level through the relaxation of premium rice HET," said Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo, ANTARA, Tuesday, March 12.

The government through the National Food Agency has decided to implement the highest retail price relaxation (HET) for premium rice which will be enforced temporarily from March 10 to March 23.

"The relaxation of the premium rice HET is temporary for 2 weeks, from March 10-23. After that date, the price of premium rice will again follow the HET according to the Regulation of the National Food Agency (Perbadan) Number 7 of 2023," said Arief.

He conveyed the implementation of temporary HET relaxation so that people can be more comfortable in carrying out worship during the fasting month and have no trouble getting access to rice purchases in the market.

"Later in the fourth week, we believe the supply and availability of rice will increase with the rice harvest," he said.

The temporary relaxation of the premium rice HET is targeted at eight regions. HET is adjusted to a difference of more than Rp1,000 per kilogram (kg) compared to the previous HET. In Java, Lampung, and South Sumatra, the premium rice HET relaxation was implemented to Rp. 14,900 per kg from the previous HET at Rp. 13,900 per kg.

Then the areas of Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, and Bangka Belitung Islands, the premium rice HET relaxation was enforced at IDR 15,400 per kg from the previous HET of IDR 14,400 per kg.

For the Bali and Nusa Tenggara regions, the relaxation of the HET for premium rice at Rp. 15,400 per kg from the previous HET was Rp. 14,400 per kg. This also applies the same in the East Nusa Tenggara region with a premium HET relaxation of Rp. 15,400 per kg from the previous HET of Rp. 14,400 per kg.

Meanwhile, for the Sulawesi region, the relaxation of premium rice HET was Rp. 14,900 per kg from the previous HET of Rp. 13,900 per kg. For the Kalimantan region, the relaxation of premium rice HET was Rp. 15,400 per kg from the previous HET of Rp. 14,400 per kg.

Finally, for the Maluku region, the relaxation of the premium rice HET to Rp15,800 per kg compared to the previous HET was Rp14,800 per kg. The relaxation of the premium rice HET for the Papua region is exactly the same as the Maluku region.

Arief said that in terms of monitoring the implementation of premium rice HET relaxation, the National Food Task Force included the National Police's Food Task Force. Supervision will be carried out regularly both to traditional markets and modern retail. "Then in the distribution of rice for the Supply Stabilization and Food Price (SPHP) medium rice program, we together with Perum Bulog continue to run at the same selling price as before. As directed by the President, the SPHP rice distribution target will continue to be accelerated to reach 250 thousand tons a month," he said.

Arief added that according to the Regulation of the National Food Agency Number 7 of 2023 concerning Rice HET, for Zone 1 which includes Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, Bali, NTB, and Sulawesi, the HET of medium rice has been pegged at IDR 10,900 per kg. For Zone 2 covers Sumatra other than Lampung and South Sumatra, NTT, and Kalimantan, HET of medium rice is IDR 11,500 per kg. Zone 3 includes Maluku and Papua, HET of medium rice is IDR 11,800 per kg.